A newly released research project demonstrates that pharmacist-provided care can play a vital role in enhancing public access to effective healthcare options, especially among the most vulnerable Americans.
Specifically, the study – “Expanding Access to Patient Care in Community Pharmacies for Minor Illnesses in Washington State” – compared pharmacist-provided care for minor ailments to care provided at three traditional sites of care: primary care, urgent care, and the emergency department.
The authors concluded that pharmacist-provided care for minor ailments improved cost-effective access for patients with comparable quality and reduced financial strains on the healthcare system.
The study was led by researchers from Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Idaho State University College of Pharmacy, Anchorage Campus; Washington State University School of Economic Sciences; and Washington State University Department of Mathematics. Data were collected from 46 pharmacies and 175 pharmacists who participated across five pharmacy organizations.
“Expanding Access to Patient Care in Community Pharmacies for Minor Illnesses in Washington State” – conducted from 2016 to 2019 – was published on April 15, 2024. It was funded by the NACDS Foundation.
The study noted, “Overall, this research showed both feasibility and significant patient and public health cost savings when care was provided by a community pharmacist as compared to providers at traditional sites of care. Research findings support nationwide replication of this model of pharmacist-provided patient care resulting in increased access to healthcare for patients, particularly in rural and underserved areas.”
NACDS Foundation President Sara Roszak said: “The NACDS Foundation continues to explore ideal healthcare delivery models and to find innovative ways to shorten the distance for patients to achieve better health and reduce the strain of unnecessary costs. This research supports the effectiveness of prioritizing local access to care and the positive impact of expanding access to care on patient outcomes.”
The NACDS Foundation prioritizes forward-thinking, patient-centered projects that address gaps in healthcare access across diverse communities. Additionally, the NACDS Foundation seeks to explore new care delivery models that will transform the most pressing public health issues through dissemination of research projects.
Find out more at nacdsfoundation.org. Follow the latest news from the NACDS Foundation on LinkedIn, X and Instagram (@nacdsfoundation).
